25 March 2008, Rome – French veterinary experts will help FAO fight transboundary and other animal diseases under a partnership agreement signed here today.

Under the three-year accord, French vets will be made available to undertake short-term missions for FAO as and when the need arises. They will also receive training in FAO methodologies and procedures.

The agreement was signed by Deputy Director-General James Butler for FAO and by M. Jacques Godfrain, President of France Vétérinaire International (FVI), a French public-interest group set up to coordinate veterinary training and technical cooperation on animal health issues. The group offers highly specialized expertise.

Developing countries

“FAO is particularly active in assisting its member countries prevent and control highly contagious transboundary animal diseases,” said Joseph Domenech, FAO’s Chief Veterinarian. “The FVI experts will be a valuable support to FAO and to developing countries in general.

The partnership will be jointly funded by FAO and FVI.

In the field of animal health, FAO already works in close collaboration with the Paris-based World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).Contact:
Christopher Matthews
Media Relations, FAO
christopher.matthews@fao.org
(+39) 06 570 53762